Nowhere is the magic of a live theatre performance more palpable than in the Grand Theatre's current production of Kingfisher Days. This play allows the audience to experience all the wonders of theatre mixed right in with the comedic flaws and daily challenges of life.

The play opens with protagonist and playwright Susan Coyne directly addressing the audience and having a heart to heart with them, speaking of things such as memories, time and our perceptions of both.

The play then transports the audience back to the summer of 1963 in Lake of the Woods, Ontario, in a family cottage where young Susan spent her summer. Her summer plays out for our amusement, from her gardening lessons with her neighbour Mr. Moir to her imaginary magical connection to an ancient Incan princess. The story is told with the innocence of a child, and simultaneously through the fond recollections of an adult.

The play stars Deborah Hay as Susan, both in her childhood memories acted out and as the comedic adult narrator. Hay is equally convincing in her role as 5-year-old Susan, in which she portrays the complete innocence, naiveté and unwavering belief in the fantastical of a child, as well as the matured, if still not quite always on time, narrator.

Hay solicits everything from laughter to teary eyes from the audience. In the dual roles of both Susan's father and her neighbour Mr. Moir is Nigel Bennett. Bennett is more than effective, portraying the depths of both men's love towards the young Susan, although Mr. Moir will be tugging on your heartstrings while Susan's father makes you laugh out loud.

Rounding out the family on stage is Burgandy Code, playing Susan's mother and the fictitious Incan princess Nootsie Tah. Playing the princess is when Code really seems to hit her stride on stage, playing to the depths and fantastical complexities of the ancient Nootsie Tah with conviction and heart.

Though the set may be simple in design and lighting, it maintains the unquestionable ability to transport the audience from present to past, and from the big city of Toronto to Blueberry Mountain in Northern Ontario, to the world of the Incas. The sounds effects are breathtaking, recalling the majestic sounds of the ornithological species of Ontario. The heart wrenching call of the Loon will strike you most of all.

Opening night on January 21 was a huge success, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, Kingfisher Days continues to play until February 5.

If you are a lover of theatre, of birds or summer cottages, of the majesty of the North or the purity and joy of childhood, or if you simply enjoy being entertained, Kingfisher Days deserves your time, especially as it truly has something for everyone, and equal appeal across all generations.